Wow, some serious hiking!
As a kid growing up on the northern slope of the San Bernardino Range northwest of Big Bear Lake, I learned as a youth the joys of exploring every truck trail and cow path in the desert and mountains, not on two feet, but two wheels. In the 1970s my hiking was limited to hiking and backpacking the trails up Mount San Gorgonio. Lived in Big Bear Lake back then. A short time later I moved to June Lake and I backpacked the nearby backcountry. In 1980 I got a 4x4 pickup and my interests turned to exploring every ghost town I could in Nevada and eastern California; though I did continue to backpack with visiting friends at least once annually. In 1987 I went to work in Trona and in 1992 I could no longer pass the company's breathing tests. I was diagnosed with emphysema, caused by the dusts (I never took up smoking). In 1991 I did manage to backpack to the Champion Spark Plug Mine high up the slopes of White Mountain Peak for a few days; in 1997 I backpacked to Panamint City for an overnighter. Those were my last hurrahs. Thereafter, my activity was based around 4x4 exploring and truck bed camping. Because I couldn't breathe and I eventually got fat.
Back then, there were no cell phones, no satellite emergency beacons that I was aware of. CB and HAM radios were the ticket back then, I only could afford a CB. Bailing wire and duct tape helped me out of a few minor breakdowns far from pavement. Later, a written itinerary left with my wife provided a security blanket; but never became necessary. Still later, the purchase of my first Toyota - a 2002 Tacoma TRD 4x4 - ensured reliable off roading (still on the road with family). FRS and a police scanner joined my small stable of electronics along with the CB; and cell phones started picking up signals east and west of the monument later park boundaries. I replaced the Tacoma with a 2018 4Runner. However, age and several occupational injuries and illness have conspired and ganged up on me so that my multiple days/weeks off roading days - let alone hiking - are effectively done. But my memories, field notes, photos and videos remain. If I was still in my prime and still active I'd have an InReach and a 2-meter.
As a kid growing up on the northern slope of the San Bernardino Range northwest of Big Bear Lake, I learned as a youth the joys of exploring every truck trail and cow path in the desert and mountains, not on two feet, but two wheels. In the 1970s my hiking was limited to hiking and backpacking the trails up Mount San Gorgonio. Lived in Big Bear Lake back then. A short time later I moved to June Lake and I backpacked the nearby backcountry. In 1980 I got a 4x4 pickup and my interests turned to exploring every ghost town I could in Nevada and eastern California; though I did continue to backpack with visiting friends at least once annually. In 1987 I went to work in Trona and in 1992 I could no longer pass the company's breathing tests. I was diagnosed with emphysema, caused by the dusts (I never took up smoking). In 1991 I did manage to backpack to the Champion Spark Plug Mine high up the slopes of White Mountain Peak for a few days; in 1997 I backpacked to Panamint City for an overnighter. Those were my last hurrahs. Thereafter, my activity was based around 4x4 exploring and truck bed camping. Because I couldn't breathe and I eventually got fat.
Back then, there were no cell phones, no satellite emergency beacons that I was aware of. CB and HAM radios were the ticket back then, I only could afford a CB. Bailing wire and duct tape helped me out of a few minor breakdowns far from pavement. Later, a written itinerary left with my wife provided a security blanket; but never became necessary. Still later, the purchase of my first Toyota - a 2002 Tacoma TRD 4x4 - ensured reliable off roading (still on the road with family). FRS and a police scanner joined my small stable of electronics along with the CB; and cell phones started picking up signals east and west of the monument later park boundaries. I replaced the Tacoma with a 2018 4Runner. However, age and several occupational injuries and illness have conspired and ganged up on me so that my multiple days/weeks off roading days - let alone hiking - are effectively done. But my memories, field notes, photos and videos remain. If I was still in my prime and still active I'd have an InReach and a 2-meter.
DAW
~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.
~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.